Social networking site usage: A systematic review of its relationship with social isolation, loneliness, and depression among older adults

Abstract

Objective Older adults, age ≥ 60 years, are at risk of depression, which is aggravated by loneliness and social isolation. The use of social networking sites (SNS) has been reported to be beneficial to help people stay in touch with their families and communities. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between SNS usage and social isolation, loneliness, and depression among older adults. Methods The online electronic search for literature was conducted up to June 2020 using three databases and searching from reference lists to find potential studies. The inclusion criteria were based on three main study characteristics: (i) a study population of adults age ≥ 60 years, (ii) examine SNS usage, and (iii) report depression or loneliness or social isolation as outcomes. Results Fifteen articles were included: ten observational and five experimental studies. Five studies focused on depression and five studies on loneliness/social isolation, while five studies reported on both outcomes. Among observational studies, there was some evidence that SNS usage was associated with lower levels of depression and loneliness scores, but a very limited number of experimental studies were able to obtain similar results. For social isolation, no study found significant associations between SNS usage and lower levels of social isolation. Conclusions This review found very limited evidence, especially from experimental studies, to support associations between SNS use with depression, loneliness, and social isolation among older adults. More studies are needed to enhance understanding to make valid conclusions. Protocol Registration The systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database on 10 April 2019 and updated in July 2020 (CRD42019125267).